If you study Archaeology, we can promise you that you will see the world, time and the human condition in an entirely new way. It is a discipline that explores the past by applying the methods of both the arts and the sciences.

Through undertaking Archaeology as a degree, you will learn how to assess, explain and make connections between different types of evidence that will allow you to develop a deeper understanding about the past. Through exploring the past in this way, you will also develop practical skills valued by employers, such as report writing, teamwork, presentation, communication and analytical skills.

Archeology can be studied as a Joint Major or Minor subject through DN520, alongside Art History and Classics as part of DN530 or as a Joint Major or Minor through DN700.

Art History is for you if you have an interest in different aspects of visual culture whether that is painting, sculpture and architecture or the modern visual art forms of photography, film and performance. 

This degree course covers a broad range of topics including the history of painting, sculpture and architecture from ancient Greece to modern times. Focus on topics such as early Irish art, the painters of the Italian Renaissance, the great gothic cathedrals of Europe and the artistic achievements of the 20th century.

Art History can be studied as a Joint Major or Minor subject through DN520, or alongside selected additional subjects as part of DN530.

The Celtic Civilisation course focuses on the cultures of the Celtic-speaking peoples in Ireland, Britain and beyond. It encompasses diverse elements in folklore, literature, history to allow students to pursue particular fields of interest. This gives students the opportunity to acquire a broad overview of the cultures of the Celtic-speaking peoples and also to develop more specific areas of expertise.

Many of the Celtic Civilisation modules are good choices as electives for those interested in Celtic culture in Ireland and beyond.

Greek & Roman Civilisation explores the Classical World, through history, literature, art, archaeology, mythology and philosophy. You do not need any previous knowledge of the subject, nor will you have to learn the ancient languages. Latin and Greek allow you to either learn a language from scratch or to develop your existing knowledge. Learn to read works by authors such as Cicero, Homer, Plato, Sophocles and Virgil, in their original languages.

Drama Studies is for students who are interested in learning about theatre and performance in theory and practice. Drama Studies has a range of modules that bring together scholarly, creative, and practical “on-your-feet” tasks and assignments. Drama Studies educates students in the history and practices of theatre and performance, in current theoretical methods and approaches to research and analysis of theatre and performance, and in a wide range of generic, historical, national and international traditions.

Media literacy is a vital 21st century skill and the cultivation of such literacy stands at the centre of this degree path. Students are encouraged to make connections between literary, cinematic and televisual forms, to deepen their knowledge of screen cultures and, in particular, to ask serious questions about how representation, culture and politics interrelate.

If you have a passion for media, this degree provides a unique opportunity for you to acquire key interpretive skills and hone your ability to make critically reasoned arguments. Film Studies will give you the tools to better understand how all the things we think of as entertainment actually create the world in which we live.

French is both a European and global language whose cultural and economic importance is projected to grow substantially in the coming decades. Studying French at UCD equips you for a diverse and varied workplace. You will explore the language and cultures of France and other French speaking countries around the globe. You will also enhance your cultural awareness, intellectual flexibility, communication skills and critical thinking. 

Geography involves the study of subjects such as the impact of societies on the quality of the environment; geographical approaches to the study of world population;  climate change; migration; the relationship between culture, landscape transformation and politics. No prior knowledge of geography is assumed.

Geography can be studied as a Joint Major or Minor subject through DN520 or DN700, or as part of selected courses in DN700.

The course aims to give you a high degree of proficiency in the language and also exposes you to the rich arts, culture and history of the German-speaking countries. In First Year, two streams are offered, one for absolute beginners, and another for non-beginners. For the non-beginners' level a minimum grade of H4 in Leaving Certificate German, or equivalent is strongly recommended.

Students may opt for a three year degree programme or choose to spend an additional year abroad and qualify with a BA (International).

German can be studied as a Joint Major or Minor subject through DN520, as a Minor subject through DN700 or alongside selected additional subjects as part of DN530.

As so much of European culture looks back to Classical Antiquity, studying Classics will give you insights not just into the ancient past but also into the ideas and texts that shaped the present. Three subjects are offered within the BA degree, which you can take separately or combine:

• Greek & Roman Civilisation
• Latin
• Greek

Greek & Roman Civilisation explores the Classical World, through history, literature, art, archaeology, mythology and philosophy. You do not need any previous knowledge of the subject, nor will you have to learn the ancient languages.

History is the pursuit of how we got here and the stories that we tell ourselves to explain the past. Working from ordinary to extraordinary, local to global, fact to fiction, you’ll develop critical thinking, argument and analysis skills that lie at the heart of careers in media, government, culture and education.

You will study Irish, European, and Global History from the medieval to the modern era. You will engage with different aspects of History – political, cultural, social, and economic. You will explore questions and problems, and develop your critical thinking skills and your ability to express your ideas and arguments.

Information & Communication Studies (ICS) equips you with the knowledge, skills, and tools to help you to make sense of a world where every aspect of human experience is affected by digital technology, media, data, and information in all formats. ICS explores digital information, social media, and communication and analyses their effects on societies, culture, politics, privacy, health, education and the many different spheres of public, private and personal life. Ultimately, ICS is about people, and understanding how people and technology interact and influence each other.

Studying folklore involves the exploration of traditional popular culture, in the past and in the present. It is primarily concerned with the history and culture of ordinary people, and with the evolution and role of tradition at a vernacular level. As an academic discipline, Folklore (or ethnology) involves the exploration of oral literature, social tradition, material culture, popular belief and practice, as well as traditional music and song.

It explores the dynamics of communal memory and of culture as a collective phenomenon. It looks at the nature of popular tradition and the way in which such tradition is transmitted, usually outside of official channels and often across vast distances of time and space.

Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that examines the variety and diversity of Irish history, society, cultural practice and the complex processes through which Ireland and Irish identities have been constructed.

This course is for you if you have an interest in the Irish language and you would like to develop your skills in speaking and communication and also learn more about the literature and history of the Irish people.

All lectures are conducted through Irish. You will study amongst other topics, the language, literature, oral tradition, and film - spanning a period from Fionn and the Fianna to TG4. 

Italian accepts both beginners and non-beginners. Indeed, most of our students are beginners, so if you are thinking of stretching yourself with a new language you’ll be in good company! We strongly encourage our students to spend a year abroad as part of their degree. Studying abroad is a valuable experience, which enables you to perfect your language skills and immerse yourself in a different culture.

Alternatively, if you wish to study more than one language, with a year abroad consider. you will have the option to spend a year studying in Italy, one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating countries. At UCD you will be immersed in Italian culture, from Dante to contemporary Italian writers. 

As so much of European culture looks back to Classical Antiquity, studying Classics will give you insights not just into the ancient past but also into the ideas and texts that shaped the present. Three subjects are offered within the BA degree, which you can take separately or combine:

• Greek & Roman Civilisation
• Latin
• Greek

Greek & Roman Civilisation explores the Classical World, through history, literature, art, archaeology, mythology and philosophy. You do not need any previous knowledge of the subject, nor will you have to learn the ancient languages.

Language is something we take for granted but it is one of the most important skills we possess as human beings. It is hard to imagine any activity that does not involve language in some way. This makes linguistics (the scientific study of language) one of the most intriguing and interesting subjects.

Mathematics has long played a central role in our quest to fully describe and understand the natural world. Nowadays, it is also a vital tool in many of the social sciences. Those who concentrate on this subject will gain an understanding of mathematical concepts and learn how to prove key facts and solve problems using deductive reasoning.

Some first year modules build on the foundations laid at Leaving Certificate or equivalent, while others will introduce exciting new aspects of the subject. It is not assumed that you will have met everything before and each topic is carefully introduced and built upon

Music is a universal form of expression, one that captures our imagination in countless ways. In UCD, we equip students with the skills necessary to understand a wide variety of musical practices. Study music in UCD if you love performing, listening to, and talking about music.

Develop your musicianship through both theory and performance. Deepen your knowledge of musical history and cultures. Analyse the important role music plays in contemporary life. Learn how to research and write about specific musical genres and topics. 

Philosophy is essentially about dialogue and discussion, about giving reasons and examples, about counter-arguments and counter-examples. We read the work of great philosophers, but we also challenge their arguments and conclusions. Although all the modules are based on lectures, many of these are highly interactive. In addition, philosophy is rare in the university for offering small-group tutorials for all of its modules.

Portuguese is a global language, spoken across four continents by more than 250 million people. Studying Portuguese offers valuable career opportunities in many areas of business and society both in Ireland and abroad. During your degree at UCD, you will delve into the language and the cultural diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world. You will also enhance your critical thinking, intercultural understanding and communication skills.

If you are interested in people, you will be interested in sociology. It is relevant for understanding almost every aspect of our lives. We are all part of society, we are connected with each other and we are affected by the people around us. In the same way, we shape the social context for others as well. Sociology provides you with the mindset and the research tools to observe the social world, make connections, understand differences, norms, cultures or inequalities.

Spanish is a truly global language, spoken by more than 400 million people around the world. Taught through interactive language classes, Spanish is not only accessible in the initial stages of learning, it is also richly rewarding for those interested in the more advanced subtleties of linguistic study.

In tandem with learning to communicate effectively in Spanish, a combination of lectures, tutorials and group work enables you to pursue your own readings of and reflections upon works by major authors. This will deepen your knowledge of Hispanic culture, as well as sharpening your critical faculties.